New York City – More than 80 percent of the
children in America's low-income families have at least one parent
who works, and after a decade of decline, the proportion of
children living in low-income families is rising again, a trend
that began in 2000, despite high levels of employment.

The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) says that
about 23 million American kids are growing up in low-income working
families – families that struggle to make ends meet, parents
who worry daily about how to pay the bills, put food on the table
and afford needed medical care, let alone get ahead.

On average, says NCCP, families need an income equal to about
two times the federal poverty level ($20,650 for a family of four)
to meet their most basic needs. Families with incomes below this
level are referred to as low income: $41,300 for a family of four;
$34,340 for a family of three; and $27,380 for a family of two.

"Even in families with a working parent or parents, children can
suffer the consequences of economic insecurity," says Jane Knitzer,
EdD, director of the NCCP. "If these children do not succeed the
growth and prosperity of our country is threatened."

Fifty-six percent of all children in low-income families have at
least one parent who works full time and year-round; 25 percent of
children in low-income families have at least one parent who works
part-time, or full-time, part of the year. About 17 percent of
children in America live in families with incomes below the poverty
level; 25 percent of the U.S. labor force works in jobs that pay
poverty-level wages, according to NCCP.

"Surely, as a country, we can do better," says Nancy Cauthen,
PhD, deputy director of NCCP, who points to her organization's
statistics that show – not surprisingly – higher
education to be a leading indicator of economic security. "The
better educated we are as a society, the more likely it will be
that our children succeed."

So what can be done?

"First, our state and federal policymakers can use good data to
make informed decisions that help lead America out of poverty,"
says Cauthen. And that's precisely why NCCP continues its research
work to advance solutions to strengthen families.

NCCP recommends raising pay, especially in the service
industries. Another suggestion: help low-income working parents
with child care costs. "Despite the expansion of child care
subsidies in the '90s, coverage rates are still low, especially for
families with incomes above the poverty level," says Cauthen. "To
maintain employment, working parents and especially those enrolled
in higher education need affordable, stable child care arrangements
for their children and yet, over the past six years, 25 states have
reduced child care subsidies."

NCCP also recommends increasing access to financial aid for
low-income students - a 2004 Urban Institute study found that, in
the past decade, federal resources for higher education have
primarily benefited higher-income families.

The National Center for Children in Poverty is the nation's
leading public policy center dedicated to promoting the economic
security, health, and well-being of America's low-income families
and children. Part of Columbia University's Mailman School of
Public Health, NCCP uses research to inform policy and practice
with the goal of ensuring positive outcomes for the next
generation.